Locking device



y 1934- s. MORRISON 1,957,662

LOCKING DEVICE Filed Aug. 18, 1930 I 0 I I N V E N T OR k/fi 5 #577702217102771022 Patented May 8, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention pertains to a locking device and more particularly toautomatic cover fastening means applicable to vanity boxes, cigarettecases, and the like.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a mechanicallocking mechanism which is devoid of excessive parts, inexpensive tofabricate and which is automatic and simple in operation.

A further object is to provide simple means for unlocking the device andopening the cover of the container.

It is the common practice to provide vanity case covers with spring orfriction catches to hold 15 them in closed position. A slight increasein the pressure on the cover as a result of careless handling oroverpacking is often sufficient however, to release the cover catch andallow spillage of the contents.

This disadvantage has been overcome in the present embodiment whereinthe container cover is maintained in closed position by a positivelocking device which operates automatically during the closureoperation. An increase of the internal pressure against the containercover in this construction merely tends to more tightly engage the lockand add to the security of the device.

Although a preferred embodiment is herein disclosed, I anticipate anystructure properly within the scope of the appended claims. Furtheradvantages and features of the present invention will be apparentfromthe following detailed description. Referring to the drawings, whichshows the device applied to a spill-proof and leakage proof loose powderunit;

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the container with the locking device engagingthe cover in closed position.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the container with cover in open position,locking device disengaged.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the device in locked position.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the device in released position.

' Fig. 5 is a cross section taken along the line 5-5 of Fi 1.

Fig. 6 is an isometric view of the locking bar with a cover representedin skeleton lines.

A container 10 is fitted with a cover 11 pivotly attached by a hinge 12.The cover is provided with a slightly upturned lug 14 which is mountedopposite the hinge and concaved slightly to increase the frictionalcontact With the locking 5 means. A slidable bar 15 is provided with alocking finger 16 and a cam 17. The container 10 is provided with a slot18 adapted to slidably receive the finger 16 and cam 1'7. The slidablebar is longer than the slot, is stationed beneath it, and slides on atrack formed by upturned members 19, which are in the form of tongues.

The operation of the locking device is exceedingly simple and takesplace automatically when the cover is closed. It is simply necessary tobring the cover quickly downward to the closed position. When the lug 14engages the cam surface 1'7, as indicated in Fig. 4, it imparts motionto the slidable bar 15. When the cover is all the way down, lug 14 isclear of the end of locking finger 16 and no longer exerts pressure onthe cam, as 7 indicated in Fig. 6. The slidable bar is relatively heavyand the momentum imparted carries the bar to the locked position asindicated in Fig. 3 of the drawing.

If preferred, the device may be operated by closing the cover to theposition indicated in Fig. 4 so that the lug engages the cam, and thenthe bar may be slid into locking position by tapping the cover.

The cover may be so made that it has a spring .80 portion 20 adjacentthe hinge to tend to open the cover from the closed position. Thus inthe closed position, the lug 14 exerts an upward pressure against thelocking finger 16 and frictionally holds the bar in locked position.

While the device thus tightly and positively locks the container coverin closed position, the cover may be easily opened by sliding the bar 15in the opposite direction. The cam 17 then engages the lug 14, forcingit upward to a position $10 where it may be readily lifted, as with thepad of the thumb, to fully open the cover as indicated in Fig. 2 of thedrawing.

I claim:--

1. A container comprising a body portion having means to slidablysupport a locking bar; a locking bar slidably supported by said means; acover hinged to the container, said cover having a locking lug and aspringy portion; and means operable automatically upon closing of thecover to slide the bar into locking engagement with the lug, saidautomatically operated means being actuated by said lug; said springyportion of the cover acting when the cover is locked to urge said luglaterally against the locking bar.

2. A container comprising a holding portion; a t slotted shelf-likeportion projecting outwardly from the holding portion; means to slidablysupport a locking bar beneath said shelf-like portion;

a locking bar slidably supported by said means, .110

said bar having a locking projection extending through the slot in saidshelf-like portion; and a cover having means to make locking engagementwith said locking projection.

3. A container comprising a holding portion; a slotted shelf-likeportion projecting outwardly from the holding portion; means to slidablysup port a locking bar beneath said shelf-like portion; a locking barslidably supported by said means, said bar having a locking projectionextending through the slot in said she1f-like portion; a cover havingmeans to make locking engagement with said locking projection; andspring means to increase the friction between said cover r means andsaid locking projection.

4. A container comprising a holding portion; a slotted shelf-likeportion projecting outwardly from the holding portion; bar supportingmeans depending from said shelf-like portion; a looking bar slidablysupported by said supporting means, said bar having a locking projectionand operating cam extending through the slot in said shelf-like portion;and a cover hinged to the container, the cover having 2. lug which uponclosing of the cover engages the cam and moves the locking bar to bringsaid locking projection into locking engagement with said lug.

5. A container comprising a holding portion; a slotted shelf-likeportion projecting outwardly from the holding portion; bar supportingmeans depending from said shelf-like portion; a looking bar slidablysupported by said supporting means, said bar having a locking projectionand operating cam extending through the slot in said shelf-like portion;a cover hinged to the container, the cover having a lug which uponclosing of the cover engages the cam and moves the looking bar to bringsaid locking projection into looking engagement with said lug; andspring means to increase the friction between said lug and said lockingprojection.

6. A container comprising a body portion having means to slidablysupport a locking bar; a. locking bar slidably supported by said means;a cover hinged to the container and provided with a locking lug; andmeans operable automatically upon closing of the cover to slide the barinto locking engagement with the lug, said automatically operated meansbeing actuated by said lug.

'7. A container comprising a body portion having means to slidablysupport a locking bar; a locking bar slidably supported by said means; acover hinged to the container and provided with a locking lug; meansoperable automatically upon closing of the cover to slide the bar intolocking engagement with the lug, said automatically operated means beingactuated by said lug; and spring means operable when the cover is lockedto urge said lug laterally against the locking bar.

8. A container comprising a body portion having means to slidablysupport a locking bar; a' oo locking bar slidably supported by saidmeans, said bar having an upwardly extending locking projection providedwith an open ended slot; a cover hinged to the container and providedwith a locking lug adapted to engage in said slot; and means operableautomatically upon closing of the cover to slide the locking bar intoengagement with the lug, said automatically operated means beingactuated by said lug.

SIMON MORRISON.

